Well packer



F. MCMANIS WELL PACKER Oct. 18, 1938.

Filed June 1'7, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 2'

Fig 1.

INVENTOR. FRED Mc AN ls BY. REG) ATTORNEYS Oct. 18, 1938. F. M MANIS WELL PA-CKER Filed June 1'7, 1935 Y 2 Sheet:Sheet 2 1 Fig. 4

NA R WM @m 0 QA MW, E R F.

Patented Oct. 18,1938

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

The invention relates to an improvement in well packers of the type which are to be set in the well to form a seal against the passage of fluids.

In removing the oil from wells it is not unusual to use a string of tubing by which the oil is conducted to the surface. In order, however, to create a pressure in the tubing or to anchor it for some purpose it is necessary to set a packer between the tubing and the casing to form a seal against the passage of fluid. Many types of packers are now in general use but a majority of these require that some part of the tubing be engaged against the bottom of the well or an obstruction in order that the packing may be set while still other packers are set by an independent setting tool operated by an independent string of pipe. As distinguished from these, the present invention contemplates a packer which may be incorporated on the lower end of a string of tubing or which may be set by manipulation of the tubing in such a manner that no additional setting tool or string of pipe is necessary.

25 One of the objects of the invention is to provide a packer which may be expanded by fluid pressure sufflciently to institute an initial setting thereof so that the packer may be thereafter held in position by mechanical means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a packer which-may be set by engagement with the well casing and held in position by the weight of the string of tubing which carries the packer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tubing anchor which can be held in position by either the weight of the pipe or a pull thereon so that it may be used as either a support,anchor or packer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a telescoping arrangement between the tubing and the packer-supporting mandrel in such a manner that the packer may be expanded upon telescoping movement of the parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a packer which is adapted to be expanded upon the setting of a casing-gripping device, the initial operation of which is instituted by the expansion of the packer by fluid means.

5 Another object is to provide a releasable packer for oil wells which can be set by manipulation of the string of pipe which is to be packed and which is subjected to the pressure of fluid within the pipe.

55 Another object of the invention is to provide a packer which may be initially set by hydraulic means but which may be released by mechanical means.

Other and further objects of the invention will be readily apparent when the following description is considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view partly in section of the upper portion of the packer shown in the position in which it is lowered into the well.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the lower end of the packer and is a continuation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation partly in section showing the packer set in a well casing.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the lower end of the packer with the parts set to cause the expansion of the packer.

In Fig. 1 the well casing which is to be sealed' is indicated generally at 2 and being lowered thereinto is a string of tubing 3 or inner pipe which it is desired to seal within the casing. This pipe 3 extends into the well and the present form of packer is particularly adapted for use where the packer is to be set at any desired elevation in a casing irrespective of the contact with the bottom of the well or with any particular obstruction. A packer of this type is particularly adapted for use with well flowing devices where it may be necessary to set a packer in the casing in order to maintain fluid pressure or to prevent the escape of pressure from or into the formation.

The tubing 3 has connected thereto a coupling 4 having an extension or enlargement 5 thereon. This coupling 4 serves to connect the tubing 3 with the packer mandrel B, which in turn supports the packing assembly 1. The packing assembly includes a supporting sleeve 9, which has an extended base l0 upon which the packing elements H, l2, and i3 are disposed. These packing elements are in the form of hollow ring-like bodies which are telescoped over the sleeve 9, one on top of the other. The packing bodies are separated by spacer rings i4 and are held in position on the sleeve by means of the cap ring i5 and the locking ring Hi. It will be apparent that these packing elements are each provided with hollow internal areas i8 which are adapted to be filled with fluid under pressure in order to cause an extension or enlargement of the packing. A passage 20 is provided in the sleeve 9 adjacent each one of the packings to permit the entrance of this fluid under pressure. If desired, spring members 22 may be incorporated within each of the packing elements to assist in retracting the element to the position shown in Fig. 1. These springs 22 may be held in position by a circular reenforcing cable or spring I 9 as seen in Fig. 1.

In order that these packingmembers may be expanded to some extent by fluid under pressure the sleeve 9 is provided with an enlarged recess 25 between its ends. This recess is filled with fluid under pressure through the openings 26 which are provided in the mandrel 6. In this manner when fluid under pressure is injected into the string of tubing 3 there will be a flow of such fluid through the openings 26 and the openings 20 to cause an expansion of the packing members against the casing. This fluid under pressure entering the openin IS in each of the packings tends to expand the packing so that it will engage against the casing. An inwardly directed lip 26 is shown on each end of the packing so that the pressure fluid tends to press this lip against the sleeve 9 and form a seal to prevent the escape of any of the fluid.

It is contemplated that the initial expansion of the packings serves the purpose of setting the casing engaging assembly 30 and that the setting of this assembly serves as a stop to support so much of the weight 01' the tubing as may be applied to the packer to hold it in expanded position.

The casing-engaging assembly includes a support ring 3|, which may be in the form of a usual coupling on the pipe or mandrel 6. Directly above this coupling and fixed to the mandrel 6 is the bottom retainer 32. This retainer has an upwardly and outwardly directed lip 33 which normally serves to hold the pipe-engaging slips 34 in the position shown in Fig. 2, so that they can not normally move outwardly to engage the casing when the device is being lowered in the well. These slips 34 are in the form of a plurality of jaw members 35 which are suspended by connecting links 36 to the base ll] of the sleeve 9 and are free to move outwardly except for their engagement within the lip 33.

Inorder that these slips may be set by engaging the casing an expander 46 is slidably mounted on the mandrel 6 and is normally held in inoperative position by a bushing 46, which is supported on the stop member 32, as best seen in Fig. 2. This expander 46 is normally urged downwardly into the tapered upper ends 4| of the slip jaws by means of a spring 42, the upper end of which is confined by a guide 43. Th s guide is provided with a plurality of slots 44 in the sides thereof which serve as guide slots for the links 36.

This guide 43 is fixed on the mandrel 6 so that it is caused to move with the mandrel, whereas the expander 40 is slidable with respect to the mandrel. In Fig. 2 a collar 45 is shown as extending upwardly from the expander 40, and in Fig. 4 this collar is shown as being engaged by the guide 43 to limit the downward movement of the mandrel with respect to the expander 40 after the slips have been set. This gives a metal to metal contact from the casing through the slips, the expander and to the string of tubing, so that a positive and rigid support for the string of tubing is obtained when the weight thereof is suflicient to overcome the spring 42 and expansive forces of the packer member.

The operation of the device is as follows: The

parts will be assembled as shown in Figs. 1 and Packing.

1 setting of the packer and that 2 and lowered into the well casing 2 to the desired elevation. Fluid pressure will then be exerted inside of the string of tubing 3 so that it will pass out through the openings 26 and cause an initial expansion of the packers l2 and I3, or any one of them. The flow of fluid through the tubing to cause a pressure through the openings 26 may be restricted by a choke, valve, or in my other desired manner. Such restriction would be positioned below the packing of course, and is illustrated by a check valve 41 in Figs. 2 and 4. When the packing elements are initially expanded they will be caused to frictionally engage the inside of the casing and at the same time the operator will lower slightly on the string of tubing 3 so that the mandrel 6 will slide within the sleeve 3. This sliding movement is, of course. imparted to the guide member 43, the coupling 3| and the stop member 32, so that the lip 33 moves away from the lower ends of the slip or jaws 34. The engagement of the packing with the casing tends to hold the packing assembly, including the links 36 and the slips 34, stationary. As the mandrel moves downwardly the guide 43 tends to compress the spring 42 and crowds the expander 40 against the beveled faces 4| of the slips so that they are moved radially outwardly to engage the casing and assume the position shown in Fig. 4. Of course, as soon as the slips frictionally engage the casing they will flrmly grip the same and upon continued downward movement of the mandrel the slips "ill be forced flrmly into contact with the inside of the casing. The downward movement of the mandrel causes the bushing 46 to move from beneath the expander which permits the expander to move down into contact with the slips. The downward movement of the mandrel and the string of tubing is limited, however, by the collar 45 so that a rigid connection is had between the tubing and the casing.

The packings' l2 and I3 are mechanically expanded in addition to the expansion caused by the fluid pressure as the mandrel moves down, because of the extension 5 on the coupling 4. This extension engages the cap l5 upon downward movement 01' the mandrel and assumes the position shown in Fig. 3 where the skirt 5 has moved the cap l5 away from the stop ring l6 and caused expansion of all three of the packings. It will be noted that there is considerable distance between the skirt 6 and the cap l5, as viewed in Fig. 1, so that there is suflicient downward movement of the slip expander 40 to cause the setting of the slips prior to the time when the skirt 5 engages the cap |5 to expand the When the packing is expanded, as seen in Fig. 3, it will be held in expanded position by so much 01 the weight of the tubing as may be allowed to rest thereon.

With the foregoing construction it is apparent that fluid. pressure is exerted to eifect the initial mechanical means is used to complete the expansion and compression of the packer so that it will maintain a seal at all times. The packer can be readily removed from its sealing position by merely raising on the tubing 5 which allows the packers to contract because of the springs 22 therein. As the packings contract they will draw away from the inside face of the casing and the device may readily be removed, it being understood that the movement upwardly of the mandrel causes the bushing 46 to raise under the expander 40 and a slight jolt may serve to dislodge this expander and allow the slips to be moved radially inwardly by the lip 33 engaging the lower end thereof. It

is contemplated that the packer may be used with any desired type of pumping equipment or that'it may serve as a well packer in connection with any type of device where a seal is desired in the well. By inverting the assembly an anchor against upward movement is provided, and the device may be used in this manner or' for any type of support, anchor, or packer.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A well packer including a tubular mandrel, a slip expander thereon, a sleeve on said mandrel adapted to move therealong, a plurality of slip segments connected to said sleeve and adapted to engage said expander when said sleeve and segments move relative to said mandrel, a plurality of packer rings on said sleeve adapted to be expanded radially by fluid pressure from within said mandrel and means for compressing said packer rings axially by the downward movement of said mandrel relative to said sleeve.

2. A well packer including a mandrel, a slip expander slidable on said mandrel within predtermined limits, a spring interposed between said expander and said mandrel to hold said expander in a downward position, an axially movable sleeve on said mandrel, a plurality of slip segments attached to said sleeve and adapted to be expanded by said expander upon movement of said sleeve relative thereto, packing rings on said sleeve and adapted to be expanded radially by fluid pressure to engage a casing wall whereby said sleeve and attached slip segments may be supported at a substantially fixed level and said mandrel and expander lowered therethrough to set said slip segments and permit axial compression of said packing rings.

3. A well packer including a mandrel, a sleeve slidably mounted on said mandrel, a tapered expander on the mandrel, slip segments attached to said sleeve adapted to be expanded upon movement of the slips relative to the expander, a plurality of packing rings slidably mounted on said sleeve and expansible by interiorly applied hydraulic pressure to engage a casing wall to support said sleeve and said slip segments, whereby said slips may be expanded and set by lowering said expander and mandreLand means on said mandrel to axially compress said packing rings to retain them in a sealing position when the mandrel is moved downwardly relative to the sleeve.

4. A well packer comprising a mandrel, a packer assembly including a plurality of packing rings surrounding said mandrel, means for expanding said rings radially to substantially non-slidably engage a casing wall, slip segments connected to said assembly whereby said segments are restrained from axial movement in the casing by said engagement, and means for setting said slip segments and axially compressing said packing rings when said mandrel is moved relative to said assembly.

5. In a well packer a pressure expansible packing ring having an interior annular recess, sealing lips at the ends of said recess adapted to form a sliding fluid excluding seal, circumferential reinforcing members in the ends of said ring and a plurality of flexible elements connecting said members.

6. In a well packer, a packing ring adapted to be expanded by hydraulic pressure, aninterior annular groove therein, and sealing lips formed to deflne the ends of said groove and adapted to form a sliding fluid excluding seal.

7. In a well packer, a packing ring of resilient material having in combination an interior annular groove, sealing lips formed at the ends of said groove adapted'to form a fluid excluding seal whereby said ring may be expanded radially by the introduction of fluid under pressure into said groove; and circumferential reinforcing rings adjacent the ends of said ring, a plurality of flexible elements connecting said members, said flexible elements being axially compressible whereby said packing ring may be radially expanded.

8. A well packer including in combination a set of packer supporting slips, a packing assembly connected to the slips, fluid pressure means to initially expand said packing into engagement with surrounding walls, means for expanding said slips to effect setting of the slips, and

' means to hold the packing expanded after said slips are set.

9. A well packer including a mandrel, support slips movable relative to said mandrel, fluid pressure expansible packing carried by and connected to said slips, means to apply fluid pressure to expand the packing and means to efiect setting of the slips upon movement of the mandrel.

10. A packer including a mandrel, a packing assembly slidably arranged thereon, said mandrel and assembly having ports providing a passage from the interior of the mandrel to the interior of the packing assembly whereby fluid pressure in the mandrel will tend to expand the packing, a set of slips connected to the packing assembly and held against downward movement when the fluid pressure expands the packing into engagement with a surrounding casing, and means carried by the mandrel to expand the slips upon downward movement of the mandrel.

11. A packer including a mandrel, a packing assembly slidably arranged thereon, said mandrel and assembly having ports providing a passage from the interior of the mandrel to the interior of the packing assembly whereby fluid pressure in the mandrel will tend to expand the packing, a set of slips connected to the packing assembly and held against downward movement when the fluid pressure expands the packing into engagement with a surrounding casing, means carried by the mandrel to expand the slips upon downward movement of the mandrel, and means to hold said first means inoperative except on relative movement of the packer assembly and the mandrel.

12. A packer including a mandrel, a packing assembly slidably arranged thereon, said mandrel and assembly having ports providing a passage from the interior of the mandrel to the interior of the packing assembly whereby fluid pressure in the mandrel will tend to expand the packing, a set of slips connected to the packing assembly and held against downward movement when the fluid pressure expands the packing into engagement with a surrounding casing, means carried by the mandrel to expand the slips upon downward movement of the mandrel, and additional means on the mandrel to compress the packing after the slips are expanded,

13. A packer including a mandrel, a set of slips about said mandrel, a packer assembly connected to said slips, said mandrel having ports whereby the packing means thereon is expansible by fluid pressure to engage the pipe to be packed to hold said slips, and means operable upon movement of said mandrel to set said slips in the walls of a surrounding casing.

14. A packer including a mandrel, a set of slips about said mandrel, packer means connected to 5 said slips; said mandrel having ports whereby said means is expansible by fluid pressure to slips.

FRED McMANIB. 

